Suction device for reversible adhesion to a substrate surface

Abstract

A suction device, in particular a suction cup, suction lifter, or vacuum gripper, for reversible attachment to a substrate surface, comprising a first component, which is used for the actuation of the suction device, and a second component, which can be brought into contact with the substrate surface via the suction cup surface, wherein the first component consists of at least one harder first material and the second component of at least one, in comparison to the first material, softer second material, wherein the second material is an extremely soft material with a Shore 00 hardness less than 50, wherein the thickness of the second component measures, in an unloaded condition, at least 2.5% of an outer diameter or a length or a width of the first component and/or particles and/or fibers, which are harder than the second material, are integrated into at least one second material.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A suction device, in particular a suction cup ( 1 ), suction lifter, or vacuum gripper ( 1 V), for reversible attachment to a substrate surface ( 2 ), comprising a first component ( 3 ), which is used for an actuation of the suction device, and a second component ( 4 ), which can be brought into contact with the substrate surface ( 2 ) via a suction cup surface ( 5 ), wherein the first component ( 3 ) is made of at least one harder first material and the second component ( 4 ) of at least one, in comparison to the first material, softer second material, wherein the second material is a soft material with a Shore 00 hardness less than 50, and
 that a thickness (d 2 ) of the second component measures, in an unloaded condition, at least 2.5% of an outer diameter (D 1 ) or a length (L) or a width (B) of the first component ( 3 ) and/or 
 that particles ( 6 ) and/or fibers, which are harder than the second material, are integrated into at least one second material. 
 
     
     
       2. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said softer second material of the second component ( 4 ) has a Shore 00 hardness less than or equal to 35. 
     
     
       3. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said second component ( 4 ) extends inward from a circumferential margin over at least 55% of a total area of the first component ( 3 ) and toward the substrate surface ( 2 ). 
     
     
       4. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said second component ( 4 ) extends over at least 65% of a total area of the first component ( 3 ). 
     
     
       5. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said second component ( 4 ) extends over at least 75% of a total area of the first component ( 3 ). 
     
     
       6. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said softer second material of the second component ( 4 ) has a thickness of 3% to 8% of an outer diameter (D 1 ) or a length (L) or a width (B) of the first component ( 3 ). 
     
     
       7. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said softer second material of the second component ( 4 ) has a thickness of 3.5% to 7% of an outer diameter (D 1 ) or a length (L) or a width (B) of the first component ( 3 ). 
     
     
       8. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first component ( 3 ) has an outer diameter (D 1 ), and the second component ( 4 ) has a comparably larger outer diameter (D 2 ). 
     
     
       9. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one second material of the second component ( 4 ) consists of at least one polymer and/or at least one elastomer or a combination of one or more polymers and/or elastomers. 
     
     
       10. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein columns with an annular or angular cross-section are embedded in the second component ( 4 ) and consist of an elastic material, which is harder than said softer second material of the second component. 
     
     
       11. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein projections and/or a structure ( 3   a ) protrude out of the first component ( 3 ), reach into the second component ( 4 ) and, while a contact pressure is exerted, are pressed into the second component ( 4 ) and the substrate surface ( 2 ). 
     
     
       12. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein particles ( 6 ) and/or said fibers and/or columns, which are integrated into the material of the second component ( 4 ), can be at least partly pressed into the indentations of a surface profile of the substrate surface ( 2 ). 
     
     
       13. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one second material of the second component ( 4 ) is a swellable material and/or the second material contains swellable particles and/or the second component ( 4 ) is coated with a swellable material on the suction cup surface ( 5 ). 
     
     
       14. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the suction cup ( 1 ) contains a grip or connection element ( 7 ) and/or the vacuum gripper ( 1 V) contains a connection for a vacuum pump, whereby a vacuum between the suction cup ( 1 ) or the vacuum gripper ( 1 V) and the substrate surface ( 2 ) can be generated. 
     
     
       15. The suction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first component ( 3 ) of the suction device in the form of the vacuum gripper ( 1 V) or the suction lifter is made of a very hard material.